Untitled Sermon

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Order of Lay Ministries

An Initiative of the Mission and Discipleship Committee of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa

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OLM Foundation Course.

Module#5: Barnabas – A Case Study

Please fill in the following contact details:

Name and Surname: Rev. George Henry van der Westhuizen

Congregation: St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, Welkom

Presbytery: Welkom

Postal Address: 35 Portia Street, Bedelia, Welkom, Free State, 9459

Email Address: [e-mail]

Telephone Numbers: [phone]

Please work your way through the questions below and provide short but clear answers to these questions. If you are answering on your computer, your answers will come out in green which helps the markers. If you are hand-writing your answers, please number your answers clearly...

Module#5: Barnabas – A Case Study

Barnabas was originally named Joseph and he was a Levite (from the Priestly Tribe of Levi) who had come from Cyprus.

There are six aspects of his life and work that we find in Scripture and we are going to explore them briefly:

1. At the formation of the Church: (Acts 4:36) He became a believer, sold land and gave money. He Contributed

2. Speaking on Paul's behalf: (Acts 9:27) He went out on a limb for a person. He Commended

3. In Antioch: (Acts 11:22-30 ) He exercised a ministry in a neighbouring church and brought a blessing back to Jerusalem. He served as a Carer

4. On Mission: (Acts 13-15) Planting new churches. He Committed

5. Speaking on behalf of the Gentiles: (Acts 15:12) Going out on a limb for other people groups. He Championed

6. Speaking on behalf of John Mark: (Col 4:10) Paul and Mark reconciled. He was Conciliatory.

Contributing

Acts 4:36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.

1. Joseph (now Barnabas) was a Levite Priest. He came from the Old Testament system of Passovers, Sacrifices and Offerings. Now he is a member of the Church. This implies that he had come to faith. Summarise briefly what changes in his thinking would have occurred to help him make this shift.

I have no idea. (Sola Scriptura) the bible does not say and I am loath to read into the Scriptures things that are not found there.

2. 📷📷Levites weren't allowed to own land, but would have been looked after as long as they were Levites. The land Barnabas sold probably belonged to his wife. Because he had converted to Christianity, Barnabas would no longer be a priest. So this selling of land indicates more than just generosity. What sacrifices was Barnabas making?

📷Again, the bible does not say. Probably is not scripture, we only know he sold some land and gave the proceeds to the apostles.

3. What does it take to encourage people? What kind of person is an encourager?

One who encourages

4. If we look at the name “Barnabas” (Son of Encouragement) which the disciples give him, what clues does this give us his nature and character.

That he was the kind of person who encouraged others.

So, from the outset, Barnabas strikes us as a man who has made sacrifices and yet he contributes out of his finances and his future security. He also contributes of himself as person.

Commending

Acts 9:26 When Paul came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.

We don't know if Barnabas already knew Paul/Saul. Paul was a Rabbi in his previous life and Barnabas had been a Priest. Maybe they'd studied together. Or maybe Barnabas didn't know him at all and had been sensitive enough to pick up that God was doing something special in Paul.

But Barnabas took the time to sensitively listen to and verify Paul's story and then he took the courage and trouble to speak on Paul's behalf.

5. Paul had a history of persecuting the church. People would have been very mistrustful of him. What risks was Barnabas taking by recommending Paul?

The risk of the loss of all the leadership of the church

6. What character attributes would have allowed Barnabas to hear Paul's story and tell it in a way that the apostles accepted Paul?

I do not know

Caring

Acts 11:20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

22 News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

So a brand new church is born in a Gentile context and the Apostles don't hesitate, they send Barnabas to care for and encourage them.

7. Barnabas was a priest by training. His training would have told him that these were “uncircumcised heathen” Gentiles. Instead he sees “evidence of the grace of God”. What does this tell us about Barnabas?

I do not know

8. What does he immediately start to do?

Preach the Word

9. He is described in vs 24. What do these phrases mean?

9.a) A good man

9.b) Full of the Holy Spirit

9.c) and faith.

10. Barnabas' ministry was bearing fruit (see vs.24) Yet he decides to fetch Paul. Paul would quickly overshadow him and become the “main character” in the story. What does this tell us about Barnabas?

11. What was the result of Barnabas' encouragement, example, humility and commitment to teaching (see the end of vs 26).

Committing

Acts13:1 In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

4 The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.

And so we see the start of the first Missionary Journey.

We know from the accounts of this first journey that they travel into the unknown, preach the gospel in some unusual settings, experience some tough opposition and plant a number of new churches.

12. We see Barnabas being identified as a prophet in this passage. It is conceivable that he could have argued that as a prophet with a priestly background he was a resource to the church. He could have stayed at home in comfort and luxury compared to the challenges and dangers of planting new churches. What does this tell you about Barnabas?

13. Some lay preachers only want to preach in the main congregation and not travel far to outstations and preaching stations where there are only a few people. What does Barnabas' missionary heart teach us in this regard?

Acts 14:11 When the crowd saw what Paul had done [he had healed a cripple man], they shouted in the Lycaonian language, "The gods have come down to us in human form!" 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: 15 "Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them.

14. Many who become involved in ministry struggle with issues of ego. People quickly put us on pedestals and think we are special. Here, Barnabas and Paul are seen as gods. How do they handle this? What lessons are there for you?

Championing

Acts 15:1 Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: "Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved." 2 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question...

12 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. 13 When they finished, James spoke up: "Brothers, listen to me... 19 "It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.

15. This is a vital tipping point in the life of the early church. Jewish believers were making second-class citizens of the Gentiles by forcing them to be circumcised. Paul and Barnabas travel all the way to Jerusalem to defend the rights and worth of Gentile believers to the Apostles. Priest and Rabbi stand together against centuries of tradition and they succeed! What qualities would Barnabas have needed to succeed in this mission?

Acts15:36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing." 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus.

16. John Mark had made a mistake. Paul dismissed him. Barnabas wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. Barnabas stuck with John Mark. Give your thoughts on what it must have been like to split up from Paul... (Bear in mind that John Mark would eventually prove himself and that Barnabas was actually right)

Conciliation.

Colossians 4:10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.)

17. From the verse above, one can only conclude that Paul and Barnabas and John Mark were all able to reconcile. In ministry and leadership disagreements can happen. Some people keep grudges. Barnabas, Paul and John Mark seem to overcome these past hurts. What qualities and attitudes do you think were needed to achieve this?

Final Thoughts

Barnabas is a great example to us. In him we see:

1. Sensitivity: He could see what God was doing

2. Encouragement: “Remain true to the Lord with all your hearts!”

3. Example: Good man, full of faith and the Spirit. People responded.

4. Humble: Went to fetch Paul.

5. Committed to teaching: And it bore fruit

6. Commitment to service.

7. The courage to stand up for his faith and for others.

8. A reconciling heart

18. Please list three of the above qualities that have impacted you and briefly explain why they have meant something to you.

Conclusion of the Course.

We have reached the end of the Foundation Course for the Order of Lay Ministries. We hope that the course has impacted your head, heart and hands – that you have grown in knowledge, but also that your faith has grown and that you have learned some practical skills too.

The final exercise we have for you is to centre everything we have done in this course on the One in whom we believe and the Faith we embrace. And so we have one last task for you...

19. We started with the Apostle's Creed and now we end with the Nicene Creed which is printed below.

For the next seven days please take time to read through this beautiful Creed slowly and thoughtfully each day. Let the Creed speak to your calling to serve and how you serve. Let it speak of the One who came “not to be served but to serve” and commit yourself afresh to Him.

The singer Rich Mullins said this about creeds: “I believe that what I believe is what makes me what I am. I did not make it, no, it is making me.”

When you get to the end of the seven days, please write a paragraph or two about your sense of being called into service in the light of the Creed.

Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, ruler over all things, maker of heaven and earth, all that is, seen and unseen; And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, eternally begotten from the Father, Light from Light, very God from very God, begotten not made, of the same being as the Father, through whom all things came to exist and who for us human beings and for our salvation came down from heaven, was incarnate by the Holy Spirit from the Virgin Mary and became a human being, was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered death and was buried, and rose on the third day according to the Scriptures, ascended to heaven, sits at the right hand of the Father and will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead, and his reign will have no end; And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who is worshipped and glorified together with the Father and the Son, who spoke through the prophets; and in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We confess one baptism for the remission of sins; we await the resurrection of the dead and the life of the age to come.

Thank you for completing Module 5 of the Foundation course. We hope and pray that this journey has been one of growth and blessing for you! Please email or post your answers to Eddie Stopforth at the address provided at the beginning of this document.